East Michigan News

State Representative Jerry Neyer has urged the Michigan House and Speaker Joe Tate to focus on legislation aimed at protecting family farmers from excessive fines during tragic events. Under current regulations, if a fatality occurs on a family farm and is not reported to the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) within eight hours, families may face fines up to $5,000.

Neyer's proposed House Bill 4011 seeks to amend these rules by reducing reporting requirements and lowering potential fines for family farms. The existing MIOSHA rule could impose penalties even if a death happens in a house located on farm property rather than directly on the farm or workplace.

"Families deserve respect and time to heal when a tragedy like this happens. They shouldn’t have to worry about being fined for not immediately filling out paperwork related to that tragedy," Neyer stated. He highlighted his experience in agriculture, having served over two decades with the Isabella County Farm Bureau and the United Dairy Industry of Michigan Board before joining the Legislature. "I talk with hardworking farmers across our state who are facing affordability concerns every day. Unnecessary red tape and the possibility of thousands of dollars in fines only further hurts this vital industry and encourages people to get out."

With an evenly split 54-54 legislative body in the House, Neyer emphasized collaboration as essential for addressing key statewide issues. HB 4011 advanced through the Democrat-majority House Committee on Agriculture in January 2023 but has yet to be voted on by the full House.

"In the previous legislative term, a bill addressing this issue gained support in both the House and Senate and made it to the governor’s desk. This particular bill solves discrepancies the governor originally had with the bill when she vetoed it," Neyer noted. "This is a very impactful measure for our vital agricultural sector, given the steep penalties and costs they could face just for taking time to cope with a tragedy. It was prioritized in the committee process. It’s a plan that’s been supported overwhelmingly in the past. Now we need to get it across the finish line."